Job Posting: Chief Legal Counsel

California State Auditor's Office

JC-520275
-
Chief Legal Counsel
C. E. A.

$19,000.00 - $19,442.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 6/25/2026

Job Description and Duties

What will you do?

As the Chief Legal Counsel, you plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and review the work of the office’s Legal Division. Additionally, you will provide policy guidance and advice to the members of the Executive Office (EO) and to managers within the organization on any legal or policy matter affecting the organization. The Chief Legal Counsel serves as the principal legal advisor to the State Auditor and the Chief Deputy State Auditor and is frequently consulted in all aspects of policy development and implementation within the office, the vast majority of which has statewide and/or outside impact.  Specifically, you will:

 

  • Plan, organize, direct, review, and provide final approval on the work of the legal staff.
  • Provide legal support to audit staff by overseeing negotiations regarding access to information and participating in key meetings with executive and legal staff of audited entities.
  • Advise EO management team members on legal and policy matters that frequently and directly affect audit work, findings, and recommendations directed to other governmental entities.  
  • Advise the EO and the Investigations Division on complex legal issues regarding the State’s Whistleblower Protection Act and improper governmental activity.
  • Assist in developing office policy, including policies related to personnel management, the delivery of legal services, and any other matter pertinent to the operation of the office and/or state government generally.
  • Develop and propose office policies and practices related to adherence to conflict of interest laws, public contracting, public records disclosure, record retention, and personnel policies.
  • Develop and propose innovative ways of serving the legal needs of a small organization that handles an extremely broad and complex range of legal issues and guiding and assisting those attorneys in making legal conclusions that impact the State.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

  • It is the desire of the State Auditor that all executive level staff generally work at the office. However, this position is eligible for participation in the office’s hybrid telework program one to two days per week. Work at the alternate work location must be conducted in a space that is ergonomically sound, private, distraction-free, and has safe working conditions to be eligible to telework.

  • Work performed in the office is in an air-conditioned high-rise building with elevator access and both natural and artificial lighting.

  • Work may require sitting for an extended period of time using a personal computer and the use of standard office equipment, such as phones, copiers or scanners.

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The California State Auditor’s Office is not an E-Verify employer.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-520275
Position #(s):
339-100-7500-900
Working Title:
Chief Legal Counsel
Classification:
C. E. A.
$19,000.00 - $19,442.00 B
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

We are the independent oversight arm of the California State Legislature and the custodians of California’s Whistleblower Hotline. Our mission is to provide objective evaluations and effective solutions that enhance the transparency, accountability, and performance of California government for the people it serves. We are trusted to produce unbiased, nonpartisan reports that provide recommendations to solve some of our state’s toughest problems.

At the California State Auditor’s Office, we believe that our mission to enhance the transparency, accountability, and performance of government also improves the lives of Californians. The many people helping us achieve this mission are the backbone and heart of our organization. We aspire to create a workplace that celebrates their incredible contributions and talents, and embraces their unique perspectives, identities, and values. We seek to develop an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and inspired in their commitment to public service.

Department Website: http://www.auditor.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

Active membership in the California State Bar is required for this position.

Any applicant receiving a conditional job offer will be subject to a background check, fingerprinting and an inquiry to the California Department of Justice to disclose criminal records prior to appointment.

State Auditor's Office employees are excluded from collective bargaining.

Temporary Salary Reduction: Due to significant budget shortfalls, beginning September 1, 2025, the office will participate in the Personal Leave Program (PLP) which reduces employee salaries in exchange for accrued leave hours. The salary reduction amounts and leave accruals are based on the amounts that represented and other excluded employees receive.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 6/25/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

California State Auditor's Office
Human Resources
Attn: Human Resources
621 Capitol Mall, Ste. 1200
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

California State Auditor's Office
Human Resources
621 Capitol Mall, Ste. 1200
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications - Is required and must be submitted. See Examination Information section below.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

  • Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:


Who are you?

1. You possess strong leadership and management skills with a demonstrated ability to set priorities, manage through subordinate supervisors, coach and mentor staff, and foster a high-performing and accountable work environment.

2. You demonstrate a high degree of integrity and confidentiality on sensitive issues and use sound judgment in decision making.

3. You have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with experience collaborating across teams and with external partners.

4. You have experience reviewing, analyzing, and drafting legislation and regulations using thorough knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government.

5. You have knowledge of and experience with state laws relating to improper governmental activities, general laws and regulations related to state fiscal, personnel and administrative practices, including the Administrative Procedures Act, conflicts of interest, employment law, and discrimination.

6. You have knowledge of and experience with public law, including administrative law and procedure, the California Public Records Act, Information Practices Act, public contracting laws, laws related to information technology and data security and information privacy.

7. You have knowledge of or experience with State of California control agencies including but not limited to the following: Legislature, Governor's Office, Department of Finance, Office of the Attorney General, State Personnel Board, and Office of Administrative Law.

8. You have experience acting as a legal advisor with a proven ability to provide strategic legal advice and clear recommendations to senior and executive management on complex and sensitive matters.

9. You have a strong track record of preparing persuasive legal arguments and compelling oral presentations. You have strong written and verbal communication skills, strong negotiating skills, strong research and analytical skills, and the ability to represent the California State Auditor effectively both internally, before the Legislature, and with the public. 



Examination Information

Submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) responding to each desirable qualification factor in the same order listed above in the ‘Who are you?’ section of this bulletin using specific examples of your education, training and experience. The SOQ must be numbered in order, typed and no longer than three pages in length using 11 or 12-point font. Failure to follow this format may result in disqualification.

The Chief Legal Counsel is a Career Executive Assignment (CEA) position. Submission of the application package is considered to be the CEA examination. The examination process will consist of an evaluation panel scoring each candidate's SOQ based on the desirable qualifications for the position listed in the ‘Who are you?’ section and the competitive nature of each candidate's relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.

We require that you not use Artificial Intelligence assistance when composing your written response. Written responses are an attempt to assess and gain an understanding of your personal writing and communication skills and abilities.

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.auditor.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Jai Patel
(916) 445-0255
JaiP@auditor.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Kristina Gin
(916) 445-0255
kristinag@auditor.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job